Into the dark night Resignedly I go, I am not so afraid of the dark night As the friends I do not know, I do not fear the night above As I fear the friends below.
Interpretation
The quote reflects a fear of isolation and the unknown in relationships rather than the fear of darkness itself.
In this quote, Stevie Smith expresses a profound fear of loneliness and unfamiliarity in human connections. While the darkness of night can be intimidating, the poet emphasizes that the real dread comes from the unknown friendships and connections that may not materialize. It suggests that our anxieties about social interactions and acceptance can often overshadow the more external fears around us.
In practice
This quote could be used to highlight the importance of maintaining friendships during difficult times at a mental health seminar.
My friendships, they are a very strong part of my life, they are as light as gossamer but also they are as strong as steel. And I cannot throw them off, nor altogether do with them or without them. And I love them at the point where they say: It is nice to see you again. And I love them too at the point when they say: Good-bye, come again soon. The rhythm of friendship is a very good rhythm.
Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning. I was much further out than you thought, and not waving but drowning. I was much too far out all my life, And not waving but drowning.
There is no friend as loyal as a book.
Among true and real friends, all is common; and were ignorance and envy and superstition banished from the world, all mankind would be friend.
A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.
Success is meaningless if you can't sleep at night because of harsh things said, petty secrets sharpened against hard and stony regret, just waiting to be plunged into the soft underbelly of a 'friendship.'
To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.
When friends speak overmuch of times gone by, often it's because they sense their present time is turning them from friends to strangers. Long before the moment came to say goodbye, I think, we said goodbye in other words and ways and silences. Then when the moment came for it at last, we didn't say it as should be said by friends. So now at last, dear Mouse, with many, many years between: goodbye.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.